Contrasting dining surface

ABSTRACT

A contrasting dining surface has a first area configured to receive a serving of food thereon. The first area of the dining surface has a light appearance. The dining surface further comprises a second area configured to receive a serving of food thereon. The second area of the dining surface has a dark appearance. The first area and the second area contrast with each other.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The invention relates to a dining surface, and more particularly, to a dining surface having a contrasting surface to assist visually impaired persons in seeing objects placed on the dining surface.

BACKGROUND

This section provides background information related to the present disclosure which is not necessarily prior art.

Visual impairment affects a significant number of people and can make it difficult for affected persons to carry out necessary day-to-day tasks. Common forms of visual impairment include glaucoma, cataracts, blindness, and colorblindness. Colorblindness causes a person to be unable to distinguish differences between various colors or hues as a result of an absence of color-sensitive pigment in the retina. Afflicted individuals can only visualize contrasting shades or differences in colors having light and dark appearances.

Colorblindness can be classified as complete colorblindness or partial colorblindness. Complete colorblindness prevents a person from seeing any colors, whereas partial colorblindness only prevents recognition of select colors. For example, partial color blindness may be classified as red-green colorblindness, wherein an individual is unable to distinguish between similarly tinted or shaded colors of red and green, or as blue-yellow colorblindness, wherein the individual is unable to distinguish between similarly tinted or shaded colors of blue and yellow.

While colorblindness may not be completely debilitating to an afflicted individual, there are a number of day-to-day situations that can be particularly challenging. One illustrative situation in which color blindness can present a challenge is dining, particularly when dining with utensils.

A meal can include various types of food that can be provided in any number of sizes, shapes, and colors. For example, a single meal may include a portion of white rice and a portion of black beans. For persons with unimpaired vision, the white rice and the black beans are generally distinguishable from a dining surface, regardless of the color of the dining surface.

However, for a person afflicted with a visual impairment such as colorblindness, white rice placed upon a white dining surface may become unrecognizable. Likewise, black beans placed on a black dining surface can be unidentifiable by a colorblind person. As both rice and beans are relatively minuscule foods, it becomes increasingly difficult for an afflicted individual to successfully negotiate the food onto a utensil. Additionally, as discussed above, colorblindness may impede dining even when the food and the dining surface are of different colors. For example, a person with blue-yellow colorblindness may not be able to see a lightly tinted yellow banana slice placed upon a similarly tinted blue dining surface.

Accordingly, there exists a need for a dining surface configured to improve visibility of foods for persons having impaired vision.

SUMMARY

In concordance with the instant disclosure, a dining surface configured to improve visibility of foods for persons having impaired vision is surprisingly discovered.

In a first embodiment, a contrasting dining surface is provided. The contrasting dining surface has a first area configured to receive a food thereon. The first area of the dining surface has a light appearance. The dining surface further comprises a second area configured to receive a serving of food thereon. The second area of the dining surface has a dark appearance. The first area and the second area contrast with each other.

In another embodiment, a method for plating a meal for a visually impaired subject comprises a first step of providing a contrasting dining surface. The contrasting dining surface has a first area configured to receive a food thereon. The first area of the dining surface has a light appearance. The dining surface further comprises a second area configured to receive a serving of food thereon. The second area of the dining surface has a dark appearance. The first area and the second area contrast with each other. The method further comprises the step of placing a serving of food on one of the first area and the second area. The serving of food has an appearance that contrasts with one of the first area and the second area.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a first embodiment of a dining surface according to the instant disclosure.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a second embodiment of a dining surface according to the instant disclosure.

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the dining surface of FIG. 1, wherein a serving of food is placed on the dining surface.

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the dining surface of FIG. 2, wherein a serving of food is placed on the dining surface.

FIG. 5 is a perspective view of a third embodiment of a dining surface according to the instant disclosure.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The following description of technology is merely exemplary in nature of the subject matter, manufacture and use of one or more inventions, and is not intended to limit the scope, application, or uses of any specific invention claimed in this application or in such other applications as may be filed claiming priority to this application, or patents issuing therefrom. Regarding the methods disclosed, the order of the steps presented is exemplary in nature, and thus, the order of the steps can be different in various embodiments. Except in the examples, or where otherwise expressly indicated, all numerical quantities in this description are to be understood as modified by the word “about” and all geometric descriptors are to be understood as modified by the word “substantially” in describing the broadest scope of the technology.

In the instant disclosure, reference to light and dark is understood to relate to a tint or shade of a color. Tint and shade relate to the amount of white or black present in the color. For example, a tinted color includes an amount of white mixed with the base color to lighten the appearance. The greater the amount of white that is added to the base color, the lighter the color will appear. Conversely, a shaded color includes an amount of black mixed with the base color to darken the appearance. The greater the amount of black that is added, the darker the color will appear. The difference between a light appearance and a dark appearance can provide a visible contrast to a colorblind individual. For example, red and green may both appear gray to a colorblind person and may be relatively indistinguishable based on the respective tint or shade of the red and green. However, a green colored surface having a light appearance (green tinted with white) can contrast with a red colored surface having a dark appearance (red shaded with black). In this manner, a person that has red-green colorblindness can perceive a contrast between the green colored surface having a light appearance (appearing as a light gray to substantially white) and the red colored surface having a dark appearance (appearing as a dark gray to substantially black).

FIGS. 1-5 illustrate a plurality of embodiments of a dining surface 2 according to the instant disclosure, wherein the dining surface 2 includes a plurality of defined areas 4, 6. The areas 4, 6 are each configured to receive at least one serving of food 8 thereon.

The dining surface 2 includes a first one of the areas 4 and a second one of the areas 6. The first area 4 has a lighter appearance than the second area 6, wherein the first area 4 contrasts with the second area 6. Particularly, the first area 4 of the dining surface 2 will have at least one of a greater amount of white and a lesser amount of black than the second area 6, wherein the first area 4 contrasts with the second area 6 regardless of the color of each of the areas 4, 6. In one embodiment, the first area 4 is white and the second area 6 is black. However, it will appreciated that intermediate shades and tints of any colors, such as red, orange, yellow, green, blue, and violet, may also be used. The first area 4 and the second area 6 can be the same color but with contrasting shades and tints. The first area 4 and the second area 6 can also be different colors (e.g., red and green) but with contrasting shades and tints. In the illustrated embodiment, each of the first area 4 and the second area 6 are solidly formed of a single tint or shade.

Referring to FIGS. 1-4, the first area 4 and the second area 6 are formed directly on the dining surface 2. The first area 4 and the second area 6 are defined by a plurality of boundaries 10. In the illustrated embodiment, the boundaries 10 emanate radially outwardly from a central portion of the dining surface 2, wherein the first area 4 and the second area 6 are pie-shaped. In the illustrated embodiment the dining surface 2 is substantially divided radially into quadrants.

In a first embodiment, shown in FIGS. 1 and 3, the first area 4 is a single quadrant forming 25% of the dining surface 2, and the second area 6 comprises three quadrants forming 75% of the dining surface 2. In an alternate embodiment, shown in FIGS. 2 and 4, the first area 4 comprises three quadrants forming 75% of the dining surface 2, and the second area 6 comprises a single quadrant forming 25% of the dining surface 2. It will be understood that the first area 4 and the second area 6 can also form other percentages of the dining surface 2 suitable for receiving a serving of food thereon. For example, the first area 4 and the second area 6 may each form 50% of the dining surface 2.

In another embodiment of the disclosure, the dining surface 2 may be polygonal in shape, such as rectangular, for example. Similar to the illustrated dining surface 2 of FIGS. 1-5, a polygonal dining surface 2 may include a plurality of areas 4, 6 formed by dividing the dining surface 2 radially. In another embodiment, the areas 4, 6 may be formed of polygonal portions displayed on the dining surface 2.

In the illustrated embodiment, the boundaries 10 are integrally formed on the dining surface 2 along a border between the first area 4 and the contrasting second area 6. In an alternate embodiment, the boundaries 10 may be formed of raised ribs disposed intermediate the first area 4 and the second area 6, wherein first area 4 and the second area 6 of the dining surface 2 are physically divided. The raised ribs function to prevent servings of food 8 from migrating between the areas 4, 6, ensuring that all food 8 on a dining surface 2 remains visible to the diner.

In yet another embodiment of the disclosure, the dining surface 2 may be modular, wherein the areas 4, 6 are formed as individual segments, and are joined as necessary to form a unitary dining surface 2. For example, a segment forming the first area 4 and equating to one quadrant may be joined with a segment forming the second area 6 and equating to three quadrants to form the dining surface 2. Other combinations of segments will be apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art.

In another embodiment, the dining surface 2 may be adjustable, wherein the size of the areas 4, 6 can be progressively increased or decreased. For example, when the dining surface 2 is formed of radially divided areas 4, 6, the first area 4 may be partially concealed by the second area 6. The areas 4, 6, of the dining surface 2 may then be adjusted to disclose more or less of the first area 4 in order to accommodate a different sized serving of food 8. In one embodiment, the dining surface 2 may be adjusted by rotating the second area 6 about the central portion relative to the first area 2.

In an alternate embodiment, the areas 4, 6 may be displayed on the dining surface 2 indirectly, as shown in FIG. 5. For example, the contrasting areas 4, 6 may be disposed on a display surface 12, such as a place mat or a tray. In this embodiment, the dining surface 2 is formed of a transparent or translucent material. The dining surface 2 is placed over the display surface 12, wherein the areas 4, 6 are visible through the transparent dining surface 2.

In certain embodiments, a plurality of various dining surfaces 2 are provided. The dining surfaces 2 can each include one or more of the areas 4, 6 of contrasting tints and shades. For example, a set of dining surfaces 2 can be provided wherein the areas 4, 6 of each of the dining surfaces 2 are configured differently. As an example, a set of dining surfaces 2 can include one or more dining surfaces 2 having one half (½) formed of the first area 4 and one half (½) formed of the second area 6. The set can further include one or more dining surfaces 2 having about one third (⅓) of the dining surface 2 formed of the first area 4 and two thirds (⅔) of the dining surface formed of the second area 6. The set of dining surfaces 2 can also include one or more dining surfaces 2 formed entirely of one of the first area 4 and the second area 6. As one example, a set can include a first dining surface 2 that is split about evenly between the first area 4 and the second area 6, a second dining surface 2 that is split one third (⅓) and two thirds (⅔) between the first area 4 and the second area 6, a third dining surface 2 is that is reverse split one third (⅓) and two thirds (⅔) between first area 4 and the second area 6, a fourth dining surface 2 formed only of a first area 4, and a fifth dining surface 2 formed only of a second area 6.

The dining surface 2 can be formed of various materials, including plastic, porcelain, ceramic, glass, or various composite or laminate materials.

In use, the dining surface 2 is selected to accommodate the particular foods 8 being served, as shown in FIGS. 3 and 4. For example, as shown in FIG. 3, the dining surface 2 having the first area 4 formed of three quadrants is selected to accommodate a meal comprising a majority of dark shaded food 8. The dark shaded food 8 is placed within the boundaries 10 of the light tinted first area 4, while light tinted food 8 is placed the dark shaded second area 6. In an alternate embodiment, shown in FIG. 4, the dining surface 2 having the second area 6 formed of three quadrants is selected to accommodate a meal comprising a majority of light tinted foods 6. The light tinted food 8 is placed within the boundaries 10 of the dark shaded second area 6, while dark shaded food 8 is placed within the light tinted first area 4.

Example embodiments are provided so that this disclosure will be thorough, and will fully convey the scope to those who are skilled in the art. Numerous specific details are set forth such as examples of specific components, devices, and methods, to provide a thorough understanding of embodiments of the present disclosure. It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that specific details need not be employed, that example embodiments may be embodied in many different forms, and that neither should be construed to limit the scope of the disclosure. In some example embodiments, well-known processes, well-known device structures, and well-known technologies are not described in detail. Equivalent changes, modifications and variations of some embodiments, materials, compositions and methods can be made within the scope of the present technology, with substantially similar results. 

What is claimed is:
 1. A contrasting dining surface comprising: a first area configured to receive a serving of food thereon, the first area having a light appearance; and a second area configured to receive a serving a food thereon, the second area having a dark appearance, the first area and the second area contrasting with each other.
 2. The dining surface of claim 1, wherein the first area is white and the second area is black.
 3. The dining surface of claim 1, further comprising a plurality of boundaries defining the first area and the second area, each of the plurality of boundaries emanating radially outwardly from a central portion of the dining surface, wherein each of the first area and the second area are substantially pie-shaped.
 4. The dining surface of claim 3, wherein the first area and the second area are displayed directly on the dining surface, the first area being white and the second area being black, wherein the first area forms about 25% of the dining surface, and the second area forms about 75% of the dining surface.
 5. The dining surface of claim 1, further comprising a third area having one of a light appearance and a dark appearance, wherein the third area is configured to contrast with one of the first area and the second area.
 6. The dining surface of claim 1, wherein the first area and the second area are displayed directly on the dining surface.
 7. The dining surface of claim 1, wherein the first area and the second area are displayed indirectly on the dining surface.
 8. The dining surface of claim 1, further comprising a serving of food disposed in one of the first area and the second area, wherein the food is configured to contrast with the one of the first area and the second area.
 9. A method of plating a meal for a colorblind subject, comprising: providing a dining surface according to claim 1; and placing a serving food in one of the first area and the second area, wherein the food is configured to contrast with the one of the first area and the second area.
 10. A method of plating a meal for a visually impaired subject comprising: providing a contrasting dining surface, the contrasting dining surface including a first area configured to receive a serving of food thereon, the first area having a light appearance, and a second area configured to receive a serving a food thereon, the second area having a dark appearance, the first area and the second area contrasting with each other; and placing a serving of food on one of the first area and the second area, the serving of food having an appearance that contrasts with the one of the first area and the second area.
 11. The method of claim 10, wherein the serving of food is placed in the first area, and the serving of food has a darker appearance than the first area.
 12. The method of claim 10, wherein the serving of food placed in the second area, and the serving of food has a lighter appearance than the second area.
 13. The method of claim 10, wherein the first area and the second area are displayed directly on the dining surface.
 14. The method of claim 10, wherein the first area and the second area are displayed indirectly on the dining surface.
 15. The method of claim 14, wherein the dining surface is one of a transparent or translucent dining surface, the method further comprising the step of placing the dining surface atop a display surface having the first area and the second area displayed directly thereon, wherein first area and the second area of the display surface are displayed through the dining surface.
 16. The method of claim 10, wherein the first area is white and the second area is black.
 17. The method of claim 10, wherein a plurality of boundaries define the first area and the second area, each of the plurality of boundaries emanating radially outwardly from a central portion of the dining surface, wherein each of the first area and the second area are substantially pie-shaped.
 18. The method of claim 17, wherein the first area and the second area are displayed directly on the dining surface, the first area being white and the second area being black.
 19. The method of claim 18, wherein the first area forms about 25% of the dining surface, and the second area forms about 75% of the dining surface.
 20. The method of claim 18, wherein the first area forms about 50% of the dining surface and the second area forms about 50% of the dining surface. 